Husband increases reward

April 29, 2004

TV Hagenah

Local rancher James Vance, whose wife was killed on Jan. 20, said he and several friends have raised their reward for information on the killing to $2,000. The $2,000 is in addition to the $1,000 currently being offered by area Crime Stoppers, “for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person(s) responsible for the homicide.”

Vance said frustration surrounding the investigation has led him to raise the reward for the individuals involved. “The investigators from the state police are trying to give us hope,” said Vance, “but there are no leads.”

Vance said he hopes that the additional money will bring forth someone that has some aspect to add to the investigation. “We’re just hoping surely somebody knows something.”

The death, which state police described as “execution style,” took place while Joanie Vance was working at the Sundowner Gallery on First Street in the late afternoon. “We are continuing to work on this,” said New Mexico State Police Major Daniel Lopez, “but really, we have nothing new to release at this time. There are no new leads I can point to.”

Vance said people who know anything should call the police, crimestoppers or Tucumcari Police. Tucumcari Chief of Police Dennis Townsend echoed Vance’s plea for people to contact law enforcement agencies if they have any information about the crime that might be useful.

“Even the smallest detail can be important,” Townsend said about the ongoing case.